:
The news was in the air, it broke via a rather ungentlemanly tweet: Virginie Calmels was removed from her position as the number two of Les Républicains for lack of loyalty. She was accused of playing “solo.”
An inevitable outcome given that the newcomer had not taken root in the role to which she had been destined as a liberal-centrist counterbalance to the radical right line of Laurent Wauquiez and his majority. In fact, her presence never extended beyond an attempt at window dressing, which was, moreover, unsuccessful due to the political inconsistency of the person involved.
It makes one wonder why she was chosen and what she was doing there.
She has been replaced by Jean Leonetti, the mayor of Antibes, former deputy, and Minister of European Affairs, formerly of the UDF. This choice confirms the forecast that he will be the party’s lead candidate in the European elections in 2019.
Will this bold move by Laurent Wauquiez give new momentum to an erratic presidency with no ability to develop a political line that goes beyond a few slogans lacking much intellectual depth and, for the moment, does not gain in terms of attractiveness?
The effect of the red parka of the President of Les Républicains faded quickly, and the latest polls credit the president of Les Républicains with 8% of voting intentions in the event of a presidential election.
Enough to raise questions to the one who wants nothing less than to “restore France’s greatness and pride.”
Given the current situation, his first task will have to be to add some color to a rather bloodless party. A few efforts might not suffice.
